[Dalton] As 2010 rolled over to 2011, no one in the flooring business was very optimistic about business conditions. Manufacturers, distributors and retailers all admit that things are still challenging and many companies are asking when this will end. Many continue to scale back on production, product and marketing to meet the new reality.

The Beaulieu Group, however, has chosen to go in the other direction. The company is expanding its manufacturing capacity to be positioned to meet the returned demand when it comes. It is launching its biggest product introduction to date and has added those plans, he added.

Meadows' expects that traffic at this year's show will be at least as good as it was last year. He hopes that the new venue will continue to improve the show's outlook. "It will be interesting because it's away from things,bCrLf Meadows said, agreeing that that could also be a positive — a more captive audience.

Beaulieu's Surface's space will boast the biggest product launch the company has had in some time. Meadows said that Beaulieu is the other side of this downturn, we will be in a position to gain additional share.bCrLf Meadows said that every company in the industry has gone through the right-sizing necessary for business conditions but that, eventually, you have to invest money to be ready for the turnaround.

"We think we've done a pretty good job of getting in position for the uptick.bCrLf Beaulieu has invested in the builder segment by partnering with Armstrong, has jumped into the property management market and continues to beef up its carpet tile on the commercial side while the Bliss line carries the residential side. Meadows said that he believes business adding two collections with more than 50 products combined. "There is also a new display vehicle we are really excited about. It's innovative,bCrLf he said.

Beaulieu will also do a live launch on its new website at Surfaces. "That's a major upgrade for us,bCrLf Meadows said. Aside from new products, he said that the company is busy expanding capacity, anticipating better times ahead. "The biggest expansion in our company in the last 10 years is going on,bCrLf he added. New extrusion capacity is coming on line now, along with new twisting and heat-setting equipment.

"We are very bullish about when we get to in 2011 will be better than last year. "This is the fourth year in a row that I've said it,bCrLf he said, "but we think this year will be better than last year.bCrLf

Meadows did temper his optimism with the fact that few home builders see that segment recovering until last quarter 2012 or even 2013, thanks to the high ranks of foreclosures still to come. "Most of them say it will be a while before we see a real recovery in housing.bCrLf He added that new construction has a big impact on the health of the carpet industry. Nonetheless, Beaulieu is prepared for better times and will tell its customers so at Surfaces 2011.